Fulham @ Everton

Now call me crazy but Boa either needs to be on the bench or we should give the Captains armband to someone else for a match.

We have to send a message to our players that just showing up and playing is not going to be enough thus Steeeed, Boa and co. should be playing with the fire they had earlier in the season (when playing Chelsea and Liverpool comes to mind).

My line up, not worrying about injuries:

Niemi

Volz -- Boca -- Goma -- Bridge (Liam)

Brown -- Steed -- Bouba -- Boa(Radz)

HH -- McGod (C)

I am definitely anticipating this match because I am genuinely interested to see how Cookie and the boys react after last weekends thumping.

COYW's

 

I agree Mike. Boa has been subpar and non-existent over since the beginning of the new year. I cannot even remember the last time he scored or even assisted on a goal.

As I wrote in my article on the main page, it is make or break time for Fulham. We do not want things to go real bad in a hurry. This team has had a strong season for the most part and it would be sad to see it all fall apart in the last part of the season.

Unfortunately, Everton is in form right now. They are scoring goals and defending well. All eleven players will have to be on top of their games for Fulham to get a win and three points.

It is possible though. If Brown and Papa can play, get them in there. I like the lineup Mike put out there. I think that is our best eleven and this is the team that can potentially get us that all important first road win.

I am excited and nervous at the same time after last weekend's debacle. I hope the players and coaches quickly forget about that match and get back to playing solid football on Saturday at Goodison.

 

My lack of participation on this and other forums is not due to dis-interest, rather it's a cumulative effect of spring fever and lousy midwest weather, I'm sure... almost..I think!

If I come across one bright spot this week I'll be mood-elevated, maybe. Till then, I dont give a fig!

 

Thats ok petty, you don't love us anymore.

 

Re: RE: Fulham @ Everton

Cheer up Petty! The Buckeyes won the Big Ten regular season title, the Buckeye ladies won the Big Ten tourney as well as the regular season crown and it is supposed to be in the high 50's or low 60's this weekend in the midwest. That is cause for a smile and some excitement!!!

 

RE: Re: RE: Fulham @ Everton

Yeah Petty, stop being a geezer.

 

Re: RE: Fulham @ Everton

Don't know about Columbus, but here in Cleveland it has been a much warmer winter than normal.

 

RE: Re: RE: Fulham @ Everton

Rather 10 degrees colder and typical sunny than this crappy on again, off again overcast -gloomed 'spring'...

I'll be alright, Jack!
- - -

By the way, Tom... when I realized the Buckeyes had won the football/Basketball trifecta and didnt even have the urge to post a gloat.. (look it up..First time EVER in a major conference, I think)..THAT's when I realized I was in a funk.
The Fulham - Arse debacle didnt help any.

 

NYC

Anyone feel like meeting up to watch this on the tape delay? Or are we still too gutted from the last match?

Yeah, I think that Cookie should try to shake things up by putting Boa on the bench, but there's really no one else willing to play on the left side. Ok, Radz might, but I'm not really his greatest fan. How 'bout playing a 5-3-2. If they continue to allow space to the other side in the midfield, why not have an extra defender for Knight to accuse of slouching off?

 

Sorry RDG, looks as if we won't make it this time for the tape delay but maybe the next live one after that.

Anywho, SOME GOOD NEWS, Bridge MAY be back this weekend as Keane mentioned he is already training with the 1st team and looks good. Same for Michael Brown but it might be a bit early for him since he hasn't been training much.
No word on Pedro Serrano yet...

I'm sticking with my original line up to take down the toffies.

 

That would be my preferred starting line up, however I suspect Cookie will favour Knight in place of Boca.

As far as Boa goes he's been a very different player this season and I dont think you can disassociate that from the fact he has been made captain. More often than not he's been playing narrow in midfield rather than hugging the touchline which is where we know him at his dangerous best. This can only be a tactical move by Cookie. This is supported by the OPTA stats which show that Boa is in the top 3 players for the highest % successful tackles.

 

If it's so.. meaning on the instigation of CC.. that's like hooking a QuarterHorse (Cowboy's horse) to a plow.

You can do it, and he'll work at it, but it just doesnt seem right.

 

I think its why he has bought in Brown, as we havent had two battling midfielders all season, Bouba has been doing it all his own, Pembo, Leggy and Christanval have been injured so I think knowing Boa can tackle back CC has asked him to do his bit.

When we were playing 4 - 5 - 1 boa was playing through the middle with Radz on the left.

Once we have Brown Bouba Boa and Steed as the 4 in midfield I'm hoping we see a change in Boa's game.

 

O.K., I have just read the injury report and here is a revised line up:

Big Tony

Volz -- Boca -- Goma -- Bridge (although, Al is right, I htink we'll see in there instead)

Radz -- Steed -- Elliot -- Boa(c)

HH -- McBride

 

After the injury report that is likely to be the midfield and likely to mean another defeat.

Only thing might be if he chooses to play Pembo or Christanval in the middle, drop Radz and push Steed wide right. They both played reserve games so might be an option.

 

I would like to see Christanval in there as a CDM. We need presence and, with no offense to Radz or Steed, we're not getting it from them!

 

I really feel another loss coming on here... Putney has to be a bit tender regardless of his training... Zat Knight should burn in hell.... there is no debate on who should start between Boca and Bambi...

Bouba probably wont start and Niemi is most likely sitting also... I see a shootout here 4-3 Everton.... unless of course Cookie shakes it up a bit, perhaps a little diamond midfield involving Christianval.... who may or may not play a whole first league game without pulling or breaking somthing.

 

Dropped Radz for Pembo, subbed on PC... any better?

Not really.

Gutted, I think CC has lost the team.

 

Radz was injured...but tothink you could play Pembo and Elliot in the same midfield is lunacy!

 

I think that Bruce Arena should get a serious look. He has had success at every level at which he has coached. I think he woulod command much more respect from the players.